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Woodford County schools report lower year‑to‑date revenue, trustees approve November financials
Summary
Superintendent and COO presented November financials showing timing‑related revenue shortfalls versus the prior year and active line‑item cuts; the board approved the treasurer's report 5–0 and heard that $803,000 remains encumbered on the new high‑school project.
The Woodford County Public Schools board on Dec. 16 received a November financial update showing year‑to‑date revenues below the previous year and staff working to reduce spending.
In a presentation to the board, Chief Operations Officer Doctor Rayburn said the district’s month‑to‑date receipts were about $15.6 million compared with nearly $21 million at the same point in the prior year and attributed the gap mainly to timing: "Some [revenues] have been delayed," he said, noting additional tax receipts arrived in December. Rayburn added that staff were "actively stopping the bleeding as much as possible," describing tighter line‑item controls and energy‑use reductions that he said will show up in future reports.
Why it matters: The board will review the district’s 2026 budget planning and an energy assessment at a January work session. Rayburn emphasized the district has started monthly contractor and coordination meetings around high‑cost projects and is reviewing encumbrances closely.
Key details: Rayburn walked the board through Munis encumbrances and fund accounting, explaining that property tax receipts are split between the general fund and the building fund (320). He said the district has seen reduced expenditures in several lines and that some federal reimbursements (for food service and special revenue programs) are posted on a reimbursement schedule and may appear negative until funds are received.
The board unanimously approved the November financial report and treasurer’s report on a voice vote recorded 5–0.
Rayburn also reported that approximately $803,000 remains encumbered on the new high‑school project and outlined likely uses — a springbox fix, additional parking and other close‑out items — saying the board will be asked to make final decisions in January. "So just know that we are doing our absolute best to collect, and we are also doing our absolute best to report on our taxes," he said.
What happens next: The board will consider budget committee recommendations and the energy assessment in January and expects additional tax receipts to be posted in the coming weeks, which Rayburn said will narrow the year‑to‑date gap.
